Featured below is an exclusive preview from the forthcoming novel "The Day Off" by Phil Lucas.
Jake and Babble sat at the top of beach, where the grey barnacled old groin with its rusty red nails caught the curve of the light sea breeze and just for that little while, sheltered them. They sat where the pebbles made a tiny mound at the top of the tide, and little seashore flowers fought their way up through the sand to sunbathe their odd salty faces.
They looked out across the beach towards the precious blue sea and the sun watched them, so when Jake and Babble smiled, the sun smiled too. An old cat shaped weathercock perched on a hut, turned a little towards them and purred.
“Look at all the happy people Jake,” Babble said, and she lifted both arms away from her body, brought them together and everyone on the beach was included.
Jake looked at a child playing in a rock pool and smiled at Babble.A mad old dog ran in meaningless abandon near them, first clockwise then anti clockwise, then faster, then slower and then clockwise again… jumping, twirling, catching sticks, chasing sticks, it’s back and tummy turned into furry teeth by the sea wind, and his face, balmy with pleasure.
“Look Babble, that dog’s having a fun overload.”
“I like dogs,” said Babble.
Jake picked up an ocean polished pebble and felt its gentle smoothness in the palm of his hand.
“I read this poem once.” It was only a little poem, Jackie Kennedy…you know Jackie Kennedy? Well it was a little poem she wrote when she was ten, and I loved it so much I just read it and read it until I could say it back to myself word perfect. And now it doesn’t ever leave me.”
The sun popped out from behind a small cloud and gave Jake and Babble a blessing.
“It’s only a childs poem Babble and she was only ten, but it’s all there in those seventy one little words…it’s really all there.”
Jake looked at the tide coming home to the sun dazzled sand. “Look at the sea Babble, listen to the waves and let it all in.”
Babble looked at the sea, listened to the waves and let it all in.
When I go down by the sandy shore
I can think of nothing I want more
Than to live by the booming blue sea
As the seagulls flutter round about meI can run about when the tide is out
With the wind and the sand and the sea all about
And the seagulls are swirling and diving for fish
Oh - to live by the sea is my only wish.
“Ten Babble, she was ten years old when she wrote those words - and it’s all there isn’t it, it’s all there?”
Babble touched the top of Jakes hand. “Listen to the sea Jake – isn’t the voice of the ocean just the wisest voice you’ve ever heard?”
“It’s a salty old professor of truths,” Jake laughed.
The Day Off will be published soon.
